Police Commander for Region One, Superintendent Khalid Mandall, says that while crime is on the decrease in Mabaruma and other sub-districts in the Barima/Waini area, the prevalence of child sexual molestation and issues relating to sexual abuse of minors is a cause for concern.
The force praised Mandall for taking a “no-nonsense and proactive” approach to tackle the issue of sexual abuse of minors “which went largely unreported prior to him taking over as Police Commander for Region One”. Within the past month alone, Mandall has reported and highlighted several cases of sexual abuse of minors within the region.
In spite of the obvious challenges and difficulties associated with monitoring and traversing the expansive terrain with limited resources, Commander Mandall said his team of hard-working ranks has been engaging in a number of community initiatives to build trust and improve relations between the Police and residents in the various communities in Region One.
This disclosure was made by Commander Mandall during a meeting with Director of the Police Corporate Communications (CCU) Unit, Mark Ramotar, his Deputy Stan Gouveia and other ranks from the CCU. The meeting was held earlier this week at Mabaruma in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for Region One.
“A lot of time(s), perception can be viewed as reality…_every policeman and woman are PRO agents in their own right,” Mandall asserted while giving assurance of his team’s full support to the CCU’s push to improve and accentuate the face and image of the Guyana Police Force.
The Commander – along with his deputy Mark Vigilance and their administrative team – highlighted a number of issues inclusive of the formation of community policing groups and youth groups within the various districts, so as to build trust with the residents.
Additionally, Mandall spoke of some of the challenges faced by the police in the division which include domestic violence, statutory rape and child abuse.
In an effort to curb this behaviour, sensitization campaigns are being done by the Commander and his team in the form of lectures to schools and residents in the communities.
